Press Release

July 15, 2017

The recent acquittal of St. Anthony Village police officer Jeronimo Yanez has again thrust this small Minnesota community into the national spotlight. This time, however, residents are better prepared. Community leaders, residents of color, and committed allies have embarked on a three-year process working together to address racial issues in systems and neighborhoods. The community-driven engagement and action initiative now in its eighth month has galvanized efforts to heal and improve the community from within.

Following the shooting death of Philando Castile in July 2016, residents of St. Anthony Village were assailed by external opinions, agendas, and media attention. In the tumult, individuals and organizations within the community struggled to find common answers to difficult questions about their future. This uncertainty, and the heightened awareness of racial tension, generated a resolve among community leaders to address the issues facing the village of 9,000 people.

St. Anthony New Brighton Family Services Collaborative (FSC) formed a partnership with Racial Equity Minnesota Network (REMn) in November of 2016 to build a long-term community engagement process around racial equity and racial justice. Rochester’s Diversity Council is a key network member.

The collaborative is moving forward with a shared vision: to develop healthy, well-adjusted youth, supported by informed and caring families in a welcoming and concerned community. In order to achieve its vision, FSC recognized the need to take proactive steps to become a community, as their charter states, “where every resident has access to a high standard of living, where all families and children feel welcome and accepted for who they are, and where all people appreciate differences in cultural, racial, and national identities as a rich foundation for growth.”

Together the Collaborative and REMn began by convening conversations with St. Anthony residents about the perceptions and realities of community life, with a primary objective of naming crucial issues. The conversations were followed by a deep exploration of identified issues, undertaken by a workgroup of people of color living in the village.

Together the Collaborative and REMn began by convening conversations with St. Anthony residents about the perceptions and realities of community life, with a primary objective of naming crucial issues. The conversations were followed by a deep exploration of identified issues, undertaken by a workgroup of people of color living in the village.

St. Anthony Villagers for Equity and Community is tasked with moving forward activities that integrate community leadership and inclusive decision making in such a way that results in concrete, specific, policy-focused, unbiased shared actions. They are developing aspirational statements in four key areas to bring back to the larger group of stakeholders for implementation. The experience and perceptions of group members are critical in realizing lasting change. "I am inspired by the various demographics who are participating in this process, particularly the youth who care about the community and have a strong voice," said spokesperson Ben Philip.

This workgroup, St. Anthony Villagers for Equity and Community, is made up of residents from different racial and ethnic backgrounds devoted to the process initiated by the FSC. Members of the workgroup vary in age, length of residency, and profession, but all recognize the need for change. “We know that we must work together to create a platform that enhances the community as a whole,” said spokesperson Hawo Kamal.

While the verdict in the Yanez trial was difficult for members of the workgroup, they remain confident in the groundwork they have laid and in the validity of the process. “Regardless of the verdict in the trial, and regardless of external forces being brought to bear on St. Anthony Village,” said spokesperson Sirri Nomo, “ultimately it is the residents who define the type of community St. Anthony must become. That is the work we must do together.”

CONTACT: Dee Sabol, DeeS@divesitycouncil.org (507)2-9951 or (719) 338-2943; Xavier Bell, Xavier@communityactionduluth.org (218)726-1665 X17 or (715) 817-3723

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St. Anthony New Brighton Family Services Collaborative

FSC provides programs and activities for youth and families in the community. Federal and county funding, earmarked for prevention and intervention programs, is tallied by the daily tasks of counselors, administration and support staff within the school district. The FSC Board is responsible for determining the use of this funding through ongoing goal setting and evaluation. The FSC board is made up of representatives from the school district, school board, community services, city council, civic groups such as Kiwanis and Lions, faith communities, businesses, law enforcement, county agencies, parents from each school building, and students from the middle and high schools.

Racial Equity Minnesota Network (REMn)

As the only network of its kind in the state, Racial Equity Minnesota is trusted to deliver positive outcomes and solutions on the complex topic of racial equity through a comprehensive portfolio of products and continuum of services. It is comprised of five member organizations who have met a set of high standards related to experience, expertise, and proven results.

Racial Equity Minnesota helps its clients establish dialogue and a common platform for understanding, illuminating the issues and demonstrating the value of addressing racial equity. The network helps build cultural competencies by equipping people with skills to tackle critical issues, delivering high-quality curriculum through trainings, performances, presentations, workshops, technical services and mapping at individual, institutional, and systemic levels.

REMn Member Organizations

AMAZE is a national leader in anti-bias educational programs and staff development, helping teachers and early childhood professionals engage students in meaningful conversations and activities that value differences, prevent bias bullying and create the positive school climate kids need for academic success. Located in the Twin Cities, AMAZE works throughout Minnesota with educators and parent/guardians who want safe and welcoming classrooms for all. www.amazeworks.org

The Diversity Council is a catalyst and convener, creating environments that afford every person opportunities to reach their full potential. DC concentrates its work in three areas: Civic Equity, Educational Equity, and Health Equity, moving organizations and populations forward through trainings, consultation, community conversations, and outreach. Twenty-eight years of experience and a reputation for excellence have established the Diversity Council as one of Minnesota’s leaders in inclusion and equity work.

www.diversitycouncil.org

ASDIC Metamorphosis is an esteemed antiracism workshop provider, based in Saint Paul and operating across Minnesota and beyond. ASDIC has worked across different sectors, customizing its work to the particular focus and formats needed by organizations. ASDIC’s programs are noted for their depth of analysis, opportunity for dialogue and reflection, building of relationship and community, and lasting transformative change. www.asdicircle.org

Community Action Duluth is committed to promoting and advancing racial equity for the health of the community. Using innovative strategies to address racial disparities, the organization is a resource for the business community and the public schools to address internal issues related to race. www.communityactionduluth.org

Pillsbury House Theatre addresses racial equity through Breaking Ice, a multiracial improvisation-based, professional theatre company that creates and performs original shows to address difficult social issues. Breaking Ice promotes justice and equity by instigating dialogue about difficult issues and inspiring our audiences to take action to undo racism and injustice.

www.pillsburyhousetheatre.org

Rochester-based organization (Diversity Council) teams up with St. Anthony Villagers for Equity and Community to create lasting change.

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